Zminijietna – Voice of the Left urged the Government to give due importance to social and environmental factors in its proposed reform on car tax.

Zminijietna said

"Whilst welcoming reforms that will make cars cheaper, we urge Government not to counterbalance any projected shortfalls in revenue on car tax by adding burdens on low and middle-income earners whose purchasing power is limited. We believe that Government can make up for any shortfall of revenue through progressive means, for example by increasing taxation on luxury cars which consume excessive amounts of fuel and by taxing persons who own an excessive amount of cars for private use, over and above a reasonable and just maximum number set by Government”.

“Zminijietna – Voice of the Left emphasises that any attempt to boost car sales won't cut CO2 emissions in the long run. The best solution to cut emissions is to tackle the issue holistically, thus also including a reform in public transport. Over the last years, the number of cars on our roads has increased significantly while the use of public modes of transportation has declined. The State should assume greater responsibility in ensuring accessible, cheaper and efficient public transport, which in the long run should provide the best solution against pollution and traffic congestion”.